La Salle student who shot himself in class moved to new facility

A teenager who shot himself in the head in a La Salle High School classroom has been moved to another facility to continue his recovery.

UC Medical Center released a statement from the 17-year-old's family on Wednesday.

"This has truly been an emotional time for our family as you might imagine. Our faith has helped us tremendously along with the knowledge that so many people who did not even know our son or family, were keeping us in their thoughts and prayers. Your continued prayers help us remain strong."

"Our son began the next segment of his journey. He has been transferred to another facility to assist with mobility and strength. It was hard to say goodbye to the staff at UC Medical Center. What they’ve done here is phenomenal and we know this was the right place for him to be however, we must now take the next steps along with our son."

"We love him dearly and will be by his side wherever the road leads, no matter how long the journey."

Green Township police said the student used a .45-caliber handgun brought from home to shoot himself in the head April 29.

The semi-automatic handgun was usually kept in a family safe, police said, and they said in the shooting aftermath it wasn't clear how the youth took the gun.

Police have said there were no indications that any other students or staff members were threatened by the youth. A La Salle official has described the junior as an honors student very involved in school life and community service.

The family said it will continue to update their son's condition "when our emotions permit."

Copyright 2013 byWLWT.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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